DALLAS — The City of Dallas has filed a civil lawsuit against a southeast Dallas apartment complex, alleging that the property has failed to address repeated safety and maintenance issues and has become a site of frequent violence, according to court documents.
The Dallas City Attorney’s Office filed the suit on April 30 in county court against Eban Village Apartments, a 17-building residential property with about 330 units.
In the lawsuit, the city described the complex as operating “in a perpetual state of lawlessness” and alleged that incidents at the property have included shootings involving individuals firing at each other and into vehicles and buildings.
City officials said the property is largely unmanaged, citing wide-open gates, vacant units, and areas with no functioning lighting, which they said leaves parts of the complex in complete darkness overnight.
The city also alleged that several buildings have gone without operational fire sprinklers and alarm systems for more than a year, according to court filings.
Dallas code compliance officials said they respond to complaints at the property near weekly or multiple times per week. Police also respond routinely to shooting incidents at the complex, according to the lawsuit.
City officials said they have met with property management multiple times to address the issues, but said little corrective action has been taken.
The lawsuit also cited at least 36 service calls over an 11-month period involving complaints such as lack of air conditioning and heat, poor lighting, sewer leaks, and infestations.
A representative for the complex referred inquiries to regional management, which has not responded to requests for comment.